Mrs. Fauver's US History Webpage

U.S. History Course Information

20011-2010: Mrs. Kellie Fauver, Mrs. Kim Grubb, Mr. Scott Telfer, Ms. McKenty

Curriculum: The 8^th grade U.S. History course covers the period starting with the early exploration and settlement of America up to the Reconstruction of the United States following the Civil War. The course moves very quickly, and students are expected to keep up with all assignments. In early May there is a standardized Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test that tests the minimum requirements of students having fulfilled this course. The T.A.K.S. test is important, but it is important to note that this test is considered the minimal requirement that students must meet, and we expect our students to far exceed that standard. For that reason we strive to teach a challenging and engaging course.

Learning Philosophy: Our students are each a vital part in a community of learners. They will be learning the subject matter in a vibrant, cooperative environment in which full participation is expected and required. The goal of our course is not that the students achieve high grades; rather the goal is for each student to fully master the curriculum. The grades achieved by students will be evidence of the extent to which they master the curriculum. As learning and mastery are the goals of our classroom, students will be expected and required to fulfill their responsibilities as active learners.

Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned throughout the year. Students will be expected to complete all homework assignments in a timely manner. Each and every homework assignment will be directly related to the learning goals of the course. Homework will be graded in accordance with the school policy. Since each assignment will be directed to a specific learning goal, students will not be given the option of not completing the assignments. In the event that students choose not to complete an assignment, arrangements will be made for that student to complete the work at other times that could include coming before school, staying after school, attending mandatory lunch detention, or attending Saturday School.

Assessments: Throughout the year we will be assessing the level to which our students have mastered the curriculum. Assessment will take many forms including: tests and quizzes; projects; essays; Blog responses; and more. Because the goal of our class is for each student to achieve mastery, major projects and tests will earn one of the following grades: A (90%-100%), B (80%-90%) or “Not Yet”. A grade of “Not Yet” indicates that a student has not yet mastered the material and that he or she will be required to achieve mastery as follows:

1. The student will review the completed assessment to determine which material he/she has not yet mastered and to understand the reason for his/her errors.
2. The student will take a re-assessment over the same material and given the opportunity to prove his/her mastery of the material for credit.
3. A student who does not attend a tutorial and take the reassessment within a reasonable time will have a "missing" grade recorded in the grade book until such time as he/she attends tutorial and is reassessed.

Interventions: In order for all students to achieve mastery of the course, we have created a proactive system of interventions to immediately help students who appear to be struggling.

Student Intervention Cycle